Apparatus for inserting small articles in a matrix plate

ABSTRACT

A matrix plate, formed with a plurality of apertures for receiving elongated articles therein, is mounted on a vibration machine. A honeycomb assembly having a plurality of cells is mounted on the matrix plate. Each cell has a preferred dimensional configuration to enhance the tumbling action of the elongated articles as they are walked from one cell to the next adjacent cell as well as to orient the articles in an erect position for insertion into the apertures of the matrix plate.

United States Patent 51 3,704,504 Koegler 1 Dec. 5, 1972 [54] APPARATUSFOR INSERTING SMALL Primary ExaminerThomas I-I. Eager ARTICLES IN AMATRIX PLATE Ansel A. Koegler, Macedon, N.Y.

Stromberg-Carlson Rochester, NY.

Filed: Aug. 6, 1971 Appl. No.: 169,719

Inventor:

Assignee: Corporation,

US. Cl ..29/208 R, 29/203 V, 29/211 M, 29/DIG. 46, 29/DIG. 44

Int. Cl. ..B23p 19/04 Field of Search....29/208 R, 211 R, 203 V, 211

M, 29/DIG. 46, DIG. 44

References Cited Attorney-Charles C. Krawczyk [57] ABSTRACT A matrixplate, formed with a plurality of apertures for receiving elongatedarticles therein, is mounted on a vibration machine. A honeycombassembly having a plurality of cells is mounted on the matrix plate.Each cell has a preferred dimensional configuration to enhance thetumbling action of the elongated articles as they are walked from onecell to the next adjacent cell as well as to orient the articles in anerect position for insertion into the apertures of the matrix plate.

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BY ffbl z APPARATUS FOR INSERTING SMALL ARTICLES IN A MATRIX PLATEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention relatesto apparatus for inserting small articles into a matrix plate having alarge plurality of apertures disposed on closely spaced centers.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore, the assembly of smallarticles into a matrix plate having a large plurality of aperturesdisposed on closely spaced centers has proven to be quite time consumingwhen performed manually and/or incapable of handling all shapes andconfigurations if performed by mechanical means. One prior apparatusdescribed on pages and 21 of the October 1968 issue of Western ElectricEngineering, employs a vacuum chamber disposed beneath a template, ormatrix plate, having a plurality of apertures therein. Small articles ofuniform cross-section throughout its length, such as the contacts ofglass reed switches, are disposed on the top surface of the template andthrough the utilization of a combination of the vibratory motion and thevacuum created beneath the template, the articles are inserted into theapertures. However, this apparatus and the process utilizing theapparatus fails to perform the accepted standards when the articlesbeing assembled each have different end configurations. The apparatusfails to provide suitable means for assisting the articles into an erectposition for insertion into the apertures. Additionally, no suitablemeans is provided to orient the articles preferentially with respect tothe apertures. The apparatus also fails to incorporate any means to aidthe articles in tumbling end over end to and fro across the template.Vibratory feed mechanisms co-operating with indexing of the template, ormatrix plate, whereby each aperture is individually filled automaticallyby the vibratory feed mechanism has proven time consuming because offrequent jamming of the articles in the feed mechanism. In addition, themechanism and process has proven unreliable because irregular feeding bythe apparatus leaves apertures unfilled by the mechanism.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improvedapparatus for assembling articles in a matrix plate having a pluralityof apertures therein disposed on closely spaced centers.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedapparatus embodying means suitable for causing articles to walk in atumbling fashion end over end across a matrix plate, thereby enhancingthe probability of proper orientation of the articles for inserting intothe apertures of the matrix plate.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a new andimproved apparatus for assembling articles in a matrix plate wherein ahoneycomb assembly is embodied to promote the walking and tumblingaction of the articles to enhance the probability of proper orientationof the articles and to decrease the total assembly time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings ofthis invention there is provided apparatus for assembling articles in amatrix plate having a plurality of apertures therein. The apparatuscomprises a base and a means coupled to the base for imparting avertical reciprocating motion to the base. A matrix plate is disposed onthe base. A honeycomb assembly having a plurality of cells is disposedon the matrix plate. Each cell of the assembly has one end disposedabout the opening of at least one aperture of the matrix plate. When aplurality of articles are thereafter disposed on the honeycomb assembly,the vertical reciprocating motion imparted to the base causes thearticles to tumble end'over end. The honeycomb assembly aids inorienting the articles to enhance the probability of inserting thearticles in the apertures of the matrix plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a simplified block diagramin side elevation of apparatus and FIG. 1B is a top planar view ofapparatus made in accordance with the teaching of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view, partly in cross-section, of a honeycombassembly made in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a planar view of aportion of the honeycomb assembly of FIG. 2disposed on a matrix plate;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view, partly in cross-section, of a modificationof the apparatus of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 5 is an elevation view, partly in cross-section, of anothermodification of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIG. 1, thereis shown a vibratory loading apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 comprises avibratory base 12, a vibratory table 14, a matrix plate 24 and ahoneycomb assembly 16.

The vibratory base 12 comprises a housing 18 within which is disposedmeans for imparting a variable vertical reciprocatory motion to thevibratory table 14. A suitable means for imparting a variable verticalreciprocatory motion to the vibratory table 14 comprises anelectromagnet. The electromagnet may be operated on such, for example,as a 60 cycle frequency and the amplitude of vertical displacement ofthe table 14 is controlled by such suitable means as a rheostat.

The vibratory table 14 is disposed on the vibratory base 12. A pluralityof springs 20 are disposed between the table 14 and the base 12 totransmit the oscillatory vertical displacement motion to the table 14.The table 14 may be made of any suitable metallic or non-metallicmaterial which is able to support articles supported on the table 14 atrest as well as when in operation. Suitable materials for comprising thetable 14 are steel sheet and/or plate stock and wood.

Most often a base plate 22 is fastened by such suitable fastener meansas by nuts and bolts to the vibratory table 14. Disposed upon the baseplate 22 is a matrix plate 24 which is fastened to the base plate 22 bysuch suitable fastening means as a quick release clamp or a swivel boltand wing nut assembly. The matrix plate 24 is a flat plate formed with aplurality of apertures 25 into each of which an article is to beinserted and retained for further processing in a manufacturingoperation. The honeycomb assembly 16 is disposed on the matrix plate 24and fastened to it by such suitable means as a quick release clamp or aswivel bolt and nut assembly. Alternately, the matrix plate 24 and thehoneycomb assembly 16 may be fastened to each other and to the baseplate 22 at the same time by the same fastening means.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, side and end members 26 and 28,respectively, of the honeycomb assembly 16 enclose a plurality ofintersecting longitudinal and transverse members 30 and 32,respectively. As shown, the longitudinal members 30 are disposedsubstantially parallel to opposed sides 26 and normal to the transversemembers 32 which are disposed substantially parallel to opposed ends 28.The intersecting members 30 and 32 form a plurality of cells 34.Additional cells 34 are formed by the intersection of members 30 and 34with the side and end members 26 and 28, respectively. A flange member36 having round or slotted apertures 38 therein is affixed to therespective side and end members 26 and 28 for affixing the assembly 16to the matrix plate 24.

Each cell 34 preferably has a plurality of apertures 25 of the matrixplate 24 exposed in an end portion thereof. Although only one aperture25 may be exposed within a cell 34, the economics of such an arrangementmay prove to be too undesirable. Each aperture may be countersunk toenable the article to be more readily inserted into an aperture 25formed in the matrix plate 24. The assembly 16 is particularly suitedfor the insertion of an article 27 into an aperture 25 wherein thearticle 27 is preferentially oriented. When the article 27 is shapeddifferently at both ends, the aperture 25 is designed to readily acceptone end and to reject the other end of the article 27.

The assembly 16 is made to function in several various ways to aid theinsertion of an article 27 into an aperture 25 of the matrix plate 24.The cell 34 is to assist in causing the articles 27 to be aligned in agenerally erect position whereby if the article 27 is orientedcorrectly, its insertion into an aperture 25 is greatly enhanced. Theheight of each cell 34 must be sufficient enough to prevent an insertedarticle 27 from being ejected completely from an aperture 25 once it isinserted therein. The height of each cell 34 is such that any articles27 which for one reason or other are not inserted into apertures 25 inan area defined by one end of one cell 34 can be walked" in a tumblingaction from one cell to the next adjacent cell. This action is to berepeated until substantially all of the apertures 25 are filled. Theexcess articles 27 are then removed and the remaining unfilled apertures25 have articles 27 inserted therein manually.

By having a preferred cell length, the walls thereof, in conjunctionwith the reciprocating vibratory vertical oscillation, cause the article27 to tumble end over end into the next adjacent cell. This movementinto the next cell is what is meant by the term walking. The length ofthe cell must be such that it will aid in supporting the article 27 inan erect condition, and cause the article 27 to tumble end over end whenit walks from cell to cell. If the length is too small, the article 27may not tumble but jump the wall. By tilting the assembly 16 or thewhole apparatus 10, the articles 27 can be walked" to and fro across thewidth and length of the assembly 16 in any direction to enable one toincrease the rapid insertion of a plurality of articles 27 into theplurality of apertures 25 in the plate 24.

The desirable dimension of the cells 34 include cell sides, whichcomprise in part portions of members 30 and 32, being of a width in theapproximate range of from 37 percent to 47 percent of the length of thearticle 27 being inserted in the apertures 25. Additionally, the lengthof the cell is in the approximate range of from 51 percent to 61 percentof the length of the article 27 to be inserted in an aperture 25.

These dimensions for constructing the cells 34 are desirable to preventan article 27 from becoming wedged diagonally within a cell 34. Wedgingof an article 27 in such a manner in all likelihood would prevent thefilling of all the apertures 25 in the matrix plate 24, since thearticle 27 is prevented from being walked across the assembly 16 forinsertion into an unfilled aperture 25. Additionally, the height of thecells 34 enables the article 27 to be more susceptible to tumbling endover end into the next adjacent cell 34.

The amplitude of vertical vibratory displacement is adjustable to impartsufficient vertical displacement to the articles causing them to tumbleend over end over the walls of cell 34, thereby walking the articles 27into the next adjacent cell 34, the end locations of the articles beingreversed from the previous orientation that existed in the prior cell.However, an increase in amplitude to aid the tumbling and walking actionof the articles increases the probability of ejecting an article fromthe aperture 25 into which it has alreadybeen seated. Additional timemay then be required to insert the same or another article into thevacant aperture should the ejected article not be reinstatedimmediately. The magnitude of the amplitude which is best to employ iscorrelated to and dependent upon the desirable length of each cell.Should the length of the cell be too short and the magnitude of theamplitude too great, tumbling of the article 27 from one cell 34 toanother may be impaired or may not even occur as the article 27 may beprojected out of the aperture 25 and the cell 34, over the low wall, andinto the next adjacent cell 34 landing on the same end as it was restingon previously in the prior cell 34. The tumbling action of the articles27 as they are walked across the assembly 16 in all directions must beachieved to maintain the high degree of probability of inserting thearticle 27 into one of the plurality of apertures 25 formed in thematrix plate 24 in the least amount of time.

The configuration of the cell 34 may be of any geometrical shape such,for example, as a rectangle, a circle or a triangle, provided the samerelationship is retained between the dimensions of the cell 34 and thearticle 27 to be inserted into the apertures 25 of the matrix plate 24.

To assist in the removal of excess articles from the honeycomb assembly16, it is often desirable to fabricate the assembly 16 larger in areathan the surface of matrix plate 24 to which it is assembled. Thisenables one to cover, or block out, the bottom surface area of one ormore rows and/or columns of cells 34 immediately adjacent the side andend members 26 and 28, respectively. At the end of the assemblyoperation most of the excess articles will be retained in these blockedoff cells and can readily be removed when the assembly 16 is removedfrom the plate 24. Any excess articles lying on the surface of the plate24 may easily be removed by hand or by use of a small vibratory actionand a slight tilting of the plate 24 to walk the excess articles off theplate 24. Any apertures in the matrix plate 24 remaining unfilled arefilled manually.

To assemble the articles in the apertures of the matrix plate 24, it hasbeen found that an excess of articles, equal to approximately 50 percentof the apertures in the matrix plate 24, enables one to fill thegreatest number of apertures, with the least amount of manual labor tocomplete filling of the apertures in the least amount of elapsed time.If the excess of articles exceeds 50 percent by too great a figure, ithas been found that apertures are plugged up by two articles trying tofill the same aperture, interference occurs between the articles, andthe walking mobility of the articles is greatly diminished. I

To assist the walking of the articles to and fro across the honeycombassembly 16, the vibratory base 12 can be modified to supply means toimpart an oscillatory motion to the base 12. A suitable means forimparting the oscillatory motion to the base 12 is to mount the base 12on a tilt base 40 and tilt the tilt base 40 and the shaker base 12either via a centered fulcrum 50 or by placing a fulcrum 50 under eitherend of the base 40. Tilting of the base 40 is accomplished manually orwith mechanical assistance.

The process as described and embodying the apparatus made in accordancewith this invention and embodying the honeycomb assembly 16 consistentlyrequires less than one-half of one percent of the articles to be placedin the apertures of the matrix plate 24 manually. As an example of theimprovement of loading articles by this vibration apparatus, reedshaving one end flattened and the other end circular or rod-like in shapeas shown in FIG. 3 as item 27 were previously loaded by vibratory actionof another type which embodied the sequential indexing of the matrixplate. The process required 40 minutes of machine apparatus time to fillapproximately 75 percent of 2,016 apertures in a matrix plate. Anadditional 30 minutes was required to manually fill the empty apertureswith reeds. Employing the process and apparatus of this invention, nomore than 7 minutes machine time is required to fill in excess of 2,000apertures of a matrix plate. The remaining apertures, or less, arefilled manually within a few minutes each time. This shows aconsiderable savings in time and effort by employing the apparatus ofthe honeycomb assembly of this invention. Additionally, since the reedsare very fragile and easily damaged, the increase in product quality anda very noticeable decrease in damaged material has resulted.

Other embodiments of the apparatus 10 employ suitable means such, forexample, as vacuum means and magnetic means in conjunction with thehoneycomb assembly 16 to aid in the insertion of articles 27 into theapertures 25 of the matrix plate 24. Referring now to FIG. 4, a vacuumchamber 52 is formed beneath the matrix plate 24. The operation of avacuum source, not shown, produces a region of reduced pressure beneaththe plate 24 which helps retain in place the articles 27 inserted in theapertures 25. This use of a vacuum chamber 52 permits one to employ anamplitude of greater magnitude in causing the articles to tumble andwalk from one cell 34 to the next adjacent cell 34. Removal of thevacuum source is accomplished prior to removing the assembly 16 and thematrix plate 24 and the articles 27 inserted therein from the apparatus10.

When the articles to be inserted into the apertures 25 are of a magneticmaterial, the apparatus 10 may be modified to include a magnetizableplate to retain the articles inserted in the apertures 25. Withreference to FIG. 5, a magnetizable plate 54 is assembled in theapertures 10 between the matrix plate 24 and the base plate 22. Theplate 54 is magnetized during operation of the apparatus 10 so that whenan article 27 is inserted in the apertures 25 of the matrix plate 24, itis retained in place by the magnetic force of the plate 54. This permitsone to employ an amplitude of greater magnitude than usual to insert thearticles 27 into the apertures 25 The magnetizing force of the plate 54is removed before the matrix plate 24 and the articles 27 insertedtherein are removed from the apparatus 10.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for assembling articles in a matrix plate having aplurality of apertures formed therein comprising:

a base;

means coupled to said base for imparting a generally verticalreciprocating motion to said base;

a matrix plate formed with a plurality of apertures therein disposed onsaid base, and

a honeycomb assembly having a plurality of cells disposed on said matrixplate whereby an end of each of said plurality of cells of said assemblyis disposed about at least one of said plurality of apertures of saidmatrix plate.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said honeycomb assembly comprises side and end members defining anenclosed perimeter, and walls defining said plurality of cells withinsaid enclosed perimeter wherein each wall of said plurality of cells hasa height equal to from 51 percent to 61 percent of the length of anarticle to be assembled by said apparatus and each cell has ageometrical configuration which can be inscribed within a square havingside dimensions of from approximately 37 percent to 47 percent of thelength of the articles to be assembled by the apparatus.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said reciprocating motion imparted to said base can be varied.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said honeycomb assembly comprises each of a plurality of cellsimmediately adjacent to at least one of said side and end members havingthat end immediately adjacent said matrix plate closed off to blockpassage of articles therethrough.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 including:

means coupled to said base for imparting an oscillatory motion in agenerally vertical direction thereto.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 including:

means coupled to said base for imparting an oscillatory motion in agenerally vertical direction thereto.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said geometrical configuration is a square.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein:

said geometrical configuration is a square.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 including:

vacuum means associated with said matrix plate for aiding in theretention of articles inserted within the plurality of apertures of saidplate. 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 including: magnetic meansassociated with said matrix plate for aiding in the retention ofarticles inserted within the plurality of apertures of said plate.

1. Apparatus for assembling articles in a matrix plate having aplurality of apertures formed therein comprising: a base; means coupledto said base for imparting a generally vertical reciprocating motion tosaid base; a matrix plate formed with a plurality of apertures thereindisposed on said base, and a honeycomb assembly having a plurality ofcells disposed on said matrix plate whereby an end of each of saidplurality of cells of said assembly is disposed about at least one ofsaid plurality of apertures of said matrix plate.
 2. The apparatus asdefined in claim 1 wherein: said honeycomb assembly comprises side andend members defining an enclosed perimeter, and walls defining saidplurality of cells within said enclosed perimeter wherein each wall ofsaid plurality of cells has a height equal to from 51 percent to 61percent of the length of an article to be assembled by said apparatusand each cell has a geometrical configuration which can be inscribedwithin a square having side dimensions of from approximately 37 percentto 47 percent of the length of the articles to be assembled by theapparatus.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claiM 1 wherein: saidreciprocating motion imparted to said base can be varied.
 4. Theapparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: said honeycomb assemblycomprises each of a plurality of cells immediately adjacent to at leastone of said side and end members having that end immediately adjacentsaid matrix plate closed off to block passage of articles therethrough.5. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 including: means coupled to saidbase for imparting an oscillatory motion in a generally verticaldirection thereto.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 including:means coupled to said base for imparting an oscillatory motion in agenerally vertical direction thereto.
 7. The apparatus as defined inclaim 5 wherein: said geometrical configuration is a square.
 8. Theapparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein: said geometrical configurationis a square.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 including: vacuummeans associated with said matrix plate for aiding in the retention ofarticles inserted within the plurality of apertures of said plate. 10.The apparatus as defined in claim 4 including: magnetic means associatedwith said matrix plate for aiding in the retention of articles insertedwithin the plurality of apertures of said plate.